FORT BLISS - Soldiers with 1st Armored Division "America's Tank Division" commemorated Operation Torch by holding a week-long, multi-faceted celebration, Aug. 20-24, at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Operation Torch is significant to America's history as it was the initial mass U.S. presence and the first event where the American and British government worked together in a combined operation during World War II while fighting in North Africa.
This year, 1AD celebrated Torch Week keeping in mind all the military occupations that fall under an armored division including: armor crewmen, snipers, food specialist, cyber intelligence, and many more.
The armored crewmen were represented by the Best Tank Competition and the Best Bradley Competition facilitated by 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team "Bulldog," 1AD's brigade master gunners, Staff Sgt. Allan (Jack) Edwards and Staff Sgt. Joshua Leppo.
"We put together an event that embodies what it means to be an armored crewman physically and mentally," said Leppo. "This should decide who truly is the best in the division without a doubt. All of these Soldiers have worked hard to be selected by their battalions to compete, so it should be a tough and realistic competition."
Monday began as day one where Soldiers took a written test to identify the countries of tanks from around the world. Then, they headed outside to the simulators to compete at Gunnery Table VI.
"At the end of day one, the competition was neck and neck," said Edwards. "You could tell that all of these crews work well together, and that they are stewards of our field. The competition is just going to get harder from here."
On Tuesday, Soldiers competedagainst each other at the Close Combat Tactical Trainer to see which crew would be the "Last Tank Standing" or the "Last Bradley Standing." They completed day two with a Call for Fire competition, which tested each crew's proficiency requesting field artillery support by using a precise technique to identify the enemy.
"It's an honor to be a part of the competition and still be on the board amongst all these great teams," said Cpl. Brandon Madrigal, armor crewman, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1AD. "It's actually a lot tougher than I thought it would be."
The last day, the physical portion of the event, began with a six-mile ruck march followed by the Armored Crewman Physical Proficiency Test.
"Overall, the event was a success," said Edwards. "The crew's efforts were at max throughout the entire competition. I can't ask more of our Soldiers, future leaders and competitors. We pushed them at points, but it was to find out who really was the best in 1st Armored Division."
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